Carnation named &#34;Elinor&#34;

ABSTRACT

A new variety of carnation having a closed calyx, characterized by its profuse and continuous year around production of deep pink flowers of medium size. This plant has a vigorous and upright growth habit with long, sturdy penduncles from 80 to 120 cm. long.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

This new carnation plant was developed during the course of breedingefforts carried on by me at San Remo, Italy since 1949 with the objectof producing a sturdy carnation plant having a deep pink flower and ahigh production rate. The new plant originated as a seedling resultingfrom my crossing of selected varieties from breeding stock maintained atmy greenhouse in San Remo, Italy, and was discovered in 1981 to possessthe deep pink flower, sturdiness and cut-flower characteristics that Iwas seeking.

Asexual propagation of this new plant by cuttings has been carried outunder my direction, at San Remo, Italy and many generations of suchpropagations have shown the novel characteristics of this plant to holdtrue and to be firmly fixed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

My new variety of carnation plant is illustrated by the accompanyingfull color photographic drawing, which shows a group of flowering stemshaving buds in various stages of opening, nearly opened flowers andblooms in further stages of maturity, the flower coloration being shownas nearly true as it is reasonably possible to obtain by means ofconventional photographic procedures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The following is a detailed description of my new carnation variety,based upon observation of the plants grown under conventional greenhousepractices, with color designations according to The R.H.S. Colour Chart,published by The Royal Horticultural Society at London, England.

THE PLANT

Origin: Seedling.

Parentage:

Seed parent.--Seedling No. 9,656 (unpatented).

Pollen parent.--Seedling No. 9,770 (unpatented).

Classification:

Botanic.--Dyanthus caryophyllus.

Commercial.--Greenhouse carnation for cut flowers.

Form: Bush height, about 1 to 1.10 m.

Growth: Vigorous and erect.

Branching: Normal.

Foliage:

Quantity.--Normal.

Leaf size.--Medium.

Leaf shape.--Very large and generally fan-shaped.

Texture.--Smooth.

Color.--Upper side -- dark green. Under side -- dark green.

THE BUD

Size: Medium, about 2.5 cm. to 3.0 cm. in diameter and about 2.5 cm.long.

Form: Ovoid.

Opening rate: Moderate.

Color:

When sepals first divide.--R.H.S. 62/B.

When petals begin to unfurl.--R.H.S. 62/B.

Calyx:

Size.--Large, funnel shape.

Aspect.--Smooth.

Splitting.--The Calyx does not split.

Sepals:

Condition.--Upstanding.

Number.--Five.

Color.--Inside -- pale green; outside -- dark green.

THE FLOWER

Blooming habit: Continuous and profuse.

Size of bloom: Medium, average diameter about 8-9 cm., depth about 2-2.5cm.

Borne: Singly.

Shape: High center at first opening, and form does not change as theflower matures.

Petalage:

Number of petals.--About 80.

Arrangement.--Generally imbricated.

Form.--Fan shaped, with serrated and ruffled margins.

Color.--Outer and inside petals R.H.S. 62/B; reverse side R.H.S. 62/B.

Texture.--Soft.

Appearance.--Velvety.

Peduncle: Sturdy and upright.

Length.--About 80 to 120 cm.

Color.--Dark green.

Strength.--Medium.

Persistence: The flowers hang on and dry.

Fragrance: None.

Lasting quality: On the plant, good. As a cut flower, good.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

Stamens: Absent in winter.

Pistils:

Number.--Three to four.

Styles:

Length.--About 2 cm.

Color.--White.

Stigmas:

Color.--White.

Ovaries: Ovoid.

Fruit: Fertile.

Shape.--Ovoid.

Color.--Green.

This new variety of carnation plant is particularly distinguished by thedeep pink coloring of its flowers, which flowers are supported on arelatively long, sturdy peduncle. The flower has a closed calyx whichdoes not split and the plant has an excellent capacity for continuousand profuse production of blooms, which is essential for the cut-flowermarket.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of carnation plant, substantiallyas herein shown and described, characterized by its high productivity ofdeep pink flowers supported singly on a sturdy, upright peduncle,flowers being characterized by having a deep pink color.